harlequin tusk in your reef?

[Pallobi]

I was curious if anyone else keeps these gorgeous fish in their reefs... mine was acquired as a juvenile and is still only a few inches in length, probably closer to 4"... eats everything he is fed which is spectrum pellets (small), omega one flakes, formula one flakes, and vitamin soaked thawed mysis... very active swimmer at all levels of the water column, very curious and interactive fish... great colors and pattern... not aggressive towards other fish whatsoever, never shows any interest in corals either... however, mine is NOT entirely reef safe as it has an appetite for shrimp... it ate 1 fire shrimp, and a cleaner shrimp until I came upon him munching my coral banded shrimp which at the moment is now trying to recover inside an in tank refugium in the sump, minus all legs but one and one claw... I no longer keep shrimp in my reef nor will I, though I am setting up a invert "refugium" cuz I love shrimp too... this is not typical of a harlequin risk from what I understand....

Jus wanted to share my experience with one and was wondering what others might have experienced and /or how they care for theirs and how anyone feels about his fish in a reef in general... and maybe even a pic or two if you have them, ill try to get one of mine soon

 

[LukFox]

Shrimp eating is a given with these fish, and even hermits and snails are at risk. Mine eats any snail but left urchins alone when I had urchins. I kept him in a reef initially and he was perfect except for some aggression issues. I'll post some pictures when I get home. I got him at 6-7" and nearly 5 years later he's about 8 inches.

 

[R-nel]

Mine never touch any corals and never seen 'em eat snails but will turn them over. I also have two large clams and never shown an interest in them, but shrimp on the other hand cannot keep. Here's mine he's 6"

 

[Pallobi]

He is awesome...

 

[kuyatwo]

Mine never had a problem with cleaner shrimp it even let the shrimp clean him. Now blennies that is another story I put a tailspot blenny in the tank and the tusk grabbed it and swam all around the tank with the blenny in it's jaws like a trophy


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[palmer373]

how large do they grow to, min aquarium when full grown? and do they have aggression issues? are the compatible with triggers?

 

[jd474]

I've kept two, both were fine with everything except shrimp - big or small. Should generally be compatible with anything, except conspecifics.

 

[LukFox]

how large do they grow to, min aquarium when full grown? and do they have aggression issues? are the compatible with triggers?

In aquariums the max seems to be 10 inches, and in the wild the max is 12 inches. Full grown I would say a minimum of a 125g. Some have aggression issues, some do not. Most of them are gentle giants, but now and then you'll hear about a really mean one. I was "lucky" enough to get a mean one... What kind of triggers and what size tank?

Pics of my guy:

 

[fishox]

I've had one in my tank for about 15 mos. he lives with a number of snails, hermits, and a big coral banded. he has never bothered anything. We added a pink tail trigger to the tank about a year ago and the two never seem to notice each other. Neither the tusk nor the trigger bother the corals either.

 

[Pallobi]

I have a 75 and mine is a juvi, I feel he will need a 150g 5'x2'x2'... when he matures, these fish are very active swimmers...as far as triggers, I think if the tank is large enough, perhaps 100g or more, it would do fine with any reasonably behaved trigger, especially if they are closer in size...

 

[Pallobi]

Gorgeous fish Lukfox...

 

[fishox]

I've had one in my tank for about 15 mos. he lives with a number of snails, hermits, and a big coral banded. he has never bothered anything. We added a pink tail trigger to the tank about a year ago and the two never seem to notice each other. Neither the tusk nor the trigger bother the corals either.

 

[Pallobi]

Sorry double post

 

[Eric the half-bee]

I had one in my reef for over a year. Sadly, he died last year and I haven't replaced him. He was an red tailed variety and peaceful(apart from eating occ. snails). They are one of the prettiest fishes.

 

[jimmy n]

Beautiful fish, huge teeth. Never gave me a problem until I added a diamond goby. At him in 15 seconds. Otherwise model citizen

 

[Arnoldtatts]

I have a 112 I'm gona try to have enough money to get a Australian h.tusk they have more vibrant colors than the ones found in indo

 

[jhaimes]

My 2nd favorite fish. I have asked everyone I talk to about this fish and if I could add it to my reef I am building and they all say the same thing...They will eat your CUC and maybe even small fish. What a shame though, I love that fish. I would not care about the crabs and snails but shrimp? Shrimp are really nice to look at as well and for about 30 bucks a pop I dont want them becoming a meal. I am really torn on this one. Would I be a lucky one and he would leave my shrimp and smaller fish alone or would I be chasing him in a few months to take him back...I just dont know!

 

[MrTuskfish]

My 2nd favorite fish. I have asked everyone I talk to about this fish and if I could add it to my reef I am building and they all say the same thing...They will eat your CUC and maybe even small fish. What a shame though, I love that fish. I would not care about the crabs and snails but shrimp? Shrimp are really nice to look at as well and for about 30 bucks a pop I dont want them becoming a meal. I am really torn on this one. Would I be a lucky one and he would leave my shrimp and smaller fish alone or would I be chasing him in a few months to take him back...I just dont know!

I don't think there is one chance in 1000 that a tusk won't eat your shrimp. You can't change 1000's of years of genetic programming by just hoping.

 

[jhaimes]

Haha Mr. Tuskfish you are my main voice of reason with that fish haha...Between the Harlequin and the Niger Trigger you have completely broken my heart! That said...You are right as always!

 

[albano]

I've had my Aussey Tusk for over a yr in my reef... I believe he has eaten most snails and crabs, but unfortunately, he has not yet eaten my XL CB shrimp (shrimp has attacked many fish)

I think that I have almost always had a HT in one of my tanks over the past 40 yrs... Definitely 1 of my favorites!